USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 137
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John Bates was born in Metamora township in Franklin county, Indiana, February 7, 1867, the son of Justus and Mary Magdalena (Thuman)
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Bates. John Bates was one of the following children born to Justus Bates and wife: Anna, who married Charles Jones; John; Louise, who married John High; Catherine, who married John Adam; Jesse; Mary, wife of James E. Jackson; Martha, who married Isaac High; Henry, who married Elsie Swartz, who is dead; Emma, married to Lewis Oakley; William; Minnie, married to Henry Sleigel; Louis and Cora, the latter of whom married Wal- ter Joliff, and all of whom were members of the German-Lutheran church. There were two others who died in infancy.
Justus Bates, father of John Bates, was born in Germany. He came to America at the age of twenty-one, proceeding to Indiana and locating in Franklin county, where he bought forty acres of land in Metamora township, subsequently buying forty acres additional. He had learned the cooper trade early in life and devoted part of his time while living in this county to his trade. He engaged in general farming and met with substantial success. After purchasing this farm he immediately began to make extensive improve- ments and converted his place into one of the best of its size in the county. At the age of twenty-three years he married Mary Magdalena, Thuman, a daughter of Anthony Thuman, who at the time of her marriage was eighteen years of age. They reared their large family on their farm and were highly respected throughout that whole community.
John Bates was educated in the public schools of Metamora township. During his early youth he remained on his father's farm and assisted in its cultivation. He later bought forty acres of land in Metamora township and before long had purchased forty additional acres located in Salt Creek town- ship, just across the road from his first purchase. He has erected all the buildings on his place and made all of the present improvements. His farm is devoted to general agriculture and he is also engaged in stock raising. In addition to his farm duties he devotes some time to his trade of carpenter. He is considered one of the most progressive farmers in this county. He has achieved distinction for the splendid breed of the large type Poland China hogs raised on his place.
John Bates married Anna Jackson, who was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, May 18, 1868, a daughter of James Jackson.
James Jackson, father of Mrs. John Bates, was a son of Robert Jackson, of England, who came to this country in 1855. James Jackson returned to his native country and after fifteen years again came to America, locating in Franklin county, Indiana. He bought seventy acres of land and later pur- chased thirty additional acres, on which he remained the rest of his life. In 1849 he married Hannah Dearden, who was born November 13, 1829, in
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Lancashire, England, a daughter of William and Tabitha Dearden. The children of this union were Robert, born, November 19, 1851, died November 28, 1861; Jane Elizabeth, born October 16, 1856, died February 16, 1888; James E., born April 3, 1866, and Anna M., born May 18, 1868, married John Bates.
To John and Anna (Jackson) Bates have been born the following chil- dren : Albert, born September 3, 1893; Donald, born May 15, 1895, and Norman, born February 18, 1909. Albert, the eldest child, was accidentally shot on September 28, 1913. He was a splendid type of youth, manly, intelli- gent and of splendid ability. He had graduated from high school and had completed the normal course with honors. He was teaching school in the northern part of the state at the time of the accident. His death was the result of recklessness on the part of a young man with a revolver in his hand. His parents felt their bereavement very keenly as Albert was a boy of whom any parents would be justly proud. Mr. Bates is a member of the German-Luth- eran church and his wife belongs to the Christian church. The Bates family is one of the leading families of the Metamora community and John Bates com- mands the respect of his fellowmen for his many laudable qualities.
HENRY C. WITTKAMPER.
Among the many Germans who left the Fatherland and came to America to seek their fame and fortune was a light-hearted and ambitious young Ger- man named August Wittkamper. Like his native countrymen, as a class, he was filled with a desire to make for himself a substantial and respected place in the new world and was willing to undergo hardships, if necessary, to attain it. It was from this young German that Henry C. Wittkamper, of Metamora, Franklin county, Indiana, is descended. Henry Wittkamper is well known to almost all the inhabitants of Franklin county as a prominent farmer and stock-raiser.
Henry Wittkamper was born September 7, 1859, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of August and Louisa (Loescher) Wittkamper.
August Wittkamper, father of Henry, was a native of Hanover, Ger- many, born in that city in 1837, a son of Henry Wittkamper, who lived in Germany his entire life. August was one of seven children by two marriages of Henry Wittkamper. These children were Henry, Adolph, Hermann, August, William, Catherine and Mary. August came to America when a young man and settled in Cincinnati, where he spent the remainder of his
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life. He had early learned the cigar makers' trade, which he followed in Cincinnati for many years. On October 14, 1857, he married Louisa Loescher, a daughter of Casper and Maria Loescher, to which union were born two sons, Henry and Charles, the latter of whom was born September 7, 1861, and died in 1864. August Wittkamper died in the same year of his son's death. Some time later his widow married, secondly, Frank Hannebaum, the children by the second marriage being Lewis, Edmond, Emma and Elizabeth (twins), William, Minnie and Anna. Of these Emma married John Pfaff and Elizabeth married George Ennis; Minnie died at the age of sixteen and William and three others of the children died in infancy. Mr. Wittkamper and family were members of the German Lutheran church.
After the death of his father Henry C. Wittkamper came with his mother to Salt Creek township, Franklin county, Indiana, to live and he received his early schooling at that place. He was later apprenticed to the blacksmith trade in Cincinnati and became a proficient workman in that industry, but on account of failing eyesight was prevented from long continuing at it. After completing his trade he left Cincinnati and went to Cleves, Ohio, at which place he remained for three years. He then returned to his mother's farm in Salt Creek township, where he remained for some time.
On November 27, 1886, Henry C. Wittkamper married Mrs. Mary Gloshen, widow of David Gloshen, a daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Wildridge) Marlin. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wittkamper moved to Rush county, Indiana, later moving to Fayette county, Indiana, where they remained for one year, moving thence to Salt Creek township, Franklin county, remaining at that place for about a year. They then moved to a farm in Rush county, Indiana, where they remained for six years, after which they moved to Laurel township, Franklin county, where they remained for two years and from this latter place moved to Blooming Grove township, re- maining there two years. They then moved to Metamora township and bought the farm on which they now live. This farm, which was purchased in 1898, consists of eighty acres, which is devoted to general agriculture, with some stock raising.
By her previous marriage Mrs. Wittkamper had two children, Mattie and Carrie. Mattie, who was born February 18, 1879, married Ferdinand Brack and has one child, a daughter, Florence. Carrie was born November 15, 1880, and married Quincey Younts, to which union have been born five chil- dren, Rebecca, Evert, Ada, Edna and Blanche.
To Henry C. and Mary Gloshen (Marlin) Wittkamper were born three children, Estella, born September 19, 1887, married Carl Berstch; Clarence,
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born August 3, 1890, who remains at home, and Florence, born August 25, 1893, also at home.
Mr. Wittkamper is a devout member of the German-Lutheran church, Clarence and Florence belong to the Methodist denomination and Estella be- longs to the Christian church. The family is one of the most highly respected in the Metamora neighborhood, in the social sphere of which its members take an active part. Mr. Wittkamper is interested in all questions which affect the welfare of this county, though this interest is of an unobtrusive kind. He has never sought political office, preferring a more passive partici- pation in public affairs. Mr. Wittkamper is a man of broad-gauged under- standing and stands high in the councils of his fellow men, enjoying their entire respect and sincere regard.
VALENTINE SIMMERMEYER.
Among the native-born German farmers of Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, who have made a success of their vocation, is Valentine Simmermeyer, who, for many years, has pursued the even tenor of his voca- tion, and by prudent living and good management, has been able to acquire a substantial competence.
Valentine Simmermeyer was born in Butler township, Franklin county, August II, 1863, the son of Jacob and Apolonia (Nath) Simmermeyer, both natives of Germany, the former born in 1833. Jacob Simmermeyer died February 26, 1911. He came to America while a young man before his mar- riage. He was a farmer in his native land and followed this same vocation in America. He operated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Butler township, in this county. Jacob Simmermeyer and his family were all devout members of the Catholic church, and he and his wife were the parents of the following children: Agnes, John, Valentine, Dorothy, Eliza- beth, George and Mary.
Valentine Simmermeyer received his education in the common schools of Oldenburg, Indiana, and has always been a farmer in Butler township. He is the owner of eighty-three acres in that township, which he purchased in 1889, on which he carries on a general system of farming and stock rais- ing. He has made a number of improvements on his farm, in 1914 erecting a new barn, forty by seventy feet in size, while his home and all his farm build- ings are equally good and well adapted to scientific farming.
Valentine Simmermeyer married Lena Amberger, the daughter of Nich-
3
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olas Amberger, a farmer of Butler township, and an ardent Catholic. To this union four children have been born, Margaret, Elizabeth, Apolonia and Matil- da. Of these children Elizabeth became the wife of George Fehlinger, and lives at Batesville. They have one child, Viola. The rest of the children are still unmarried and living at home.
Mr. Simmermeyer is one of the appraisers for the St. Marys Fire Insur- ance Company. He and his wife are devout members of the Catholic church, at St. Marys, Indiana. Mr. Simmermeyer is always ready to do his part in any good work that presents itself, and lends his support at all times to any measure which has for its object the welfare of his community. Pri- marily, he is devoted to his home and family, but he is popular among his neighbors in the community where he lives.
JOHN BRICKNER.
No farmer in Salt Creek township, Franklin county, Indiana, was more highly respected than the late John Brickner, who, for many years owned and operated a farm in that township.
John Brickner was born March 29, 1842, in Germany. His parents died there when he was three years old. He received his education in his native land and took part in one of the German wars. After the close of this war he came to America, locating first in Pittsburgh, but remained in that city only two weeks, coming on west to St. Joseph, Indiana, from which place he moved to Enochsburg, this county. From the latter place Mr. Brick- ner moved to Hamburg, working on the farms in the immediate vicinity. Several years after going to Hamburg, Mr. Brickner purchased a farm, where his widow now lives, in Salt Creek township. He first bought sixty acres, adding to this original tract from time to time until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of good farming land. He cultivated and improved this farm extensively, all of the buildings now on the place having been erected by his hands. The farm was entirely covered with woods at the time Mr. Brickner purchased it, but with untiring industry and perseverance the land was cleared and developed into a good farm, and here John Brickner lived until his death, March 13, 1909.
In 1869 John Brickner married Elizabeth Gigrich, the daughter of Igna- tius and Gertrude (Schnavel) Gigrich, both natives of Germany. Mrs. Brick- ner's parents were married in that country, and came to America about 1849. locating at first in Cincinnati, Ohio, then at Pipe Creek, this county, then at
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Enochsburg. Later they moved to a farm, where they lived for some time, but Mr. Gigrich now resides in Hamburg at the advanced age of more than ninety years. His wife died July 29, 1909, at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Brickner was born on the trip across the Atlantic ocean when her parents im- migrated from their German home to America.
John and Elizabeth (Gigrich) Brickner were the parents of seven chil- dren, John, Henry, Lizzie, Frank, Adam, Enoch and Anna. The family are all devout members of the St. Anne Catholic church at Hamburg and are actively interested in the work of the congregation.
Enoch Brickner, the youngest son of the above union, has always resided on the home farm and has been in charge of its operation for several years. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has met with a very fair degree of success. He is a highly respected citizen of the community and has considerable influence in public affairs.
JOSEPH HERBERT.
The farm requires much patient labor and reasonably good management if success is to be expected. Joseph Herbert, one of Franklin county's well known farmers, has had a busy life, and has also proved to be a capable manager.
Joseph Herbert was born November 18, 1863, in Dearborn county, In- diana, a son of Matthew and Barbara (Hone) Herbert, the former a native of Germany and the latter a native of Dearborn county.
Joseph Herbert's maternal grandparents were Feltz and Elizabeth (Warsht) Hone, both natives of Germany, who early settled in Dearborn county. Feltz Hone was a farmer by occupation and lived at various places after coming to this country, his death occurring at Hamburg, this county.
Matthew Herbert, the father of Joseph, came to America when a young man and first located in Dearborn county, Indiana, but during the last thirty years of his life he lived on a farm which adjoined that of the subject of this sketch in Salt Creek township, Franklin county, this farm consisting of eighty acres. His widow now makes her home with her son, Joseph. Matthew Herbert was a harness maker before coming to America, and followed that occupation after coming to this country to some extent, having conducted a harness shop at St. Joseph.
Joseph Herbert received his education in the schools of Dearborn and
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Franklin counties, and early in life began to assist with the farm work, learn- ing to bind wheat at the age of eleven years. He started farming for himself in Decatur county, Indiana, but returned to Franklin county in a short time, where he followed this vocation for about fifteen years, after which he moved to Rush county, Indiana, renting land during all this time. He finally re- turned to Salt Creek township and purchased the old home place of eighty acres and one hundred and nine acres adjoining the same. On this farm he was placed many improvements, erecting a new house and barn, together with good farm buildings of all kinds, and here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Joseph Herbert was married April 23, 1890, to Katie Klein, of Olden- burg, Indiana, a daughter of John Klein and wife. John Klein is a station- ary engineer in Oldenburg, where he has lived for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert are the parents of six children, Edgar, Barbara, William, Harry, Elsie and Gusta.
The Herbert family are all members of St. Anne Catholic church at Ham- burg, taking an active interest in the works of that parish. Mr. Herbert is a Democrat, but has not taken an active interest in political affairs, preferring rather to devote his attention to his agricultural interests.
WILLIAM H. MCNUTT.
Among the representative citizens and progressive farmers of Franklin county is William H. McNutt, who was born in Salt Creek township, May 31, 1867, the son of John and Nancy (Yates) McNutt, both of whom were born in Franklin county, the former on Stips' Hill and the latter in Posey township.
William H. McNutt was educated in the common schools of Franklin county and has followed farming all of his life. He owns a splendid farm of one hundred and forty-three acres and is engaged in general farming.
The paternal grandparents of William H. McNutt were Robert and Elizabeth C. McNutt, of Pennsylvania, who located on Stips' Hill in an early day. Here they acquired a farm and here he died, his wife dying in Laurel. The old home place consisted of fifty acres but the family later accumulated a large tract of land.
The maternal grandparents of William H. McNutt were Edward and Delilah (Shelton) Yates, natives of North Carolina, who located in the north- west corner of Franklin county and lived a part of the time in Posey town-
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ship and a part of the time in Salt Creek township. Edward Yates served in the War of 1812. His sons, John, Thomas, Joseph and Spencer, all served in the Civil War and all survived that memorable struggle. Joseph, Robert Jr., James and John, sons of Robert McNutt, also were all soldiers in the Civil War. Joseph lost his life in the service, but the others returned at the end of the struggle.
The father of William H. McNutt, John McNutt, was educated in the common schools of Franklin county and took up farming as a business early in life. During a part of his life he was a farmer in Ohio, not far from Cincinnati. He died April 9, 1914, at Stips' Hill. His children were Eliza- beth C. and William H., the latter of whom is the subject of this sketch.
William H. McNutt is not only an enterprising and progressive farmer, but is a man much admired in the community where he lives. He is a man possessed of wide information and is interested at all times in every matter that pertains to the general welfare of the community. He is known for his sterling integrity and genial disposition, and is a representative citizen in every way.
BERNARD J. KESSING.
Every community owes its advance or retrogression to the spirit infused into its life and works by a few men in its midst to whom the other's look for guidance when the way seems dark or the proper mode of action is in doubt. A leading spirit in his locality is Bernard J. Kessing, the well-known banker of Oldenburg, Franklin county, Indiana, and, be it said to his honor, his influ- ence is invariably given to the fostering of the civic interests of the commun- ity and never to the lessening of the common welfare.
Born in Oldenburg on January 18, 1871, Mr. Kessing is the son of John H. Kessing and Elizabeth (Brokamp) Kessing, being one of the following twelve children: Francis, Henry, Anthony, Thressa (deceased), Mary, Jos- eph, Frances, Anna, Clements, Bernard, Edward and Elizabeth. Of these, Francis is a priest of the secular order, ordained in 1875, and is now located at Cincinnati, and Frances entered the Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis in 1884, and is now known as Sister Francis Xaveria.
A native of Germany, John H. Kessing was born December 1, 1822, and died February 28, 1910. He was the son of Bernard Kessing and Mary (Burdick) Kessing, who were German farmers and who came to America with their family. John Kessing was educated in the common schools of Germany and after coming to America was a blacksmith for twelve years in
BERNARD J. KESSING.
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Cincinnati, whence he came to Oldenburg and established a blacksmith shop, which he maintained for about ten years. In September of 1865 he estab- lished a general supply store, which has remained in the family to the pres- ent day, now being operated by Bernard Kessing. The business has been in the family for fifty years.
On October 26, 1851, John Kessing married Elizabeth Brokamp, who was born in Germany February 23, 1833, the daughter of John Henry and Mary (Freking) Brokamp. Henry Brokamp was a German Catholic, who brought his family to America and settled on a Franklin county farm. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Elizabeth, Mary and Johanna. Elizabeth, the wife of John H. Kessing, is now living with the subject of this sketch and has the unique honor of being the oldest living resident of Oldenburg.
The gentleman to whom this article is devoted was educated in the com- mon schools, and from his boyhood was employed in his father's store, learning the business. At that time an older brother, Henry, was a partner with the father, continuing until 1893, and was succeeded by Bernard J. and Edward. In 1909 Edward withdrew from the business. In 1910 the father died. Bernard J. Kessing has conducted the business alone ever since. Mr. Kessing also is an undertaker, and is now the president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Oldenburg, and was the president of the Oldenburg Elec- tric Light Company until 1913.
On October 14, 1908, M. Kessing, married Helena Schrader, the daugh- ter of Frederick and Hedwig (Holverscheidt) Schrader. She was born near Batesville, Indiana, became a trained nurse, graduating in 1900 from the German Deaconess hospital at Cincinnati, and followed her profession until her marriage. To this union two children have been born, Frances and Mar- garet.
Frederick Schrader, the father-in-law of Mr. Kessing, was born in Ger- many on September 27, 1843, and died June 7, 1907. He took part in the German-Danish war, which also was the war with Austria, of 1860-66. He came to America at the age of twenty-seven and located in Batesville, where he was employed in the Boehringer and Schrader furniture factory. He be- came a prominent man in the community and for six years, beginning about 1897, was a member of the Indiana Legislature. At the time of his death he was postmaster of Batesville. He and his wife were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Helena, Sophia, Hettie, Lula, Bertha, Olga, Frederick and Albert.
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Mr. Kessing is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Knights of St. John. He is a faithful member of the Catholic church, and no act of his life casts reproach upon him. With a pleasing urbanity of manner, Mr. Kessing has the gift of bringing sunshine into the lives of those about him. Prosperous and enterprising, selfishness is absolutely foreign to his makeup, in him being combined those rare characteristics which mark the whole-souled and public-spirited citizen, few men in the county being held in higher regard.
BEN H. VONDERHEIDE.
Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in attaining a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible. Not only by an objective incentive is an inspiration granted, but at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Ben H. Vonderheide one of the prominent and suc- cessful farmers of Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, have also brought the high esteem of his fellow citizens. His career has been one of well directed energies, strong determination and honorable methods, and he is now the present efficient and capable trustee of Butler township.
Ben H. Vonderheide was born in Butler township, Franklin county, In- diana, November 18, 1861, the son of Henry and Bernadina ( Michael) Von- derheide, the former a native of Franklin county, the latter the daughter of Christopher Michael, an enterprising farmer of Butler township.
The paternal grandfather of Ben H. Vonderheide was also Henry Von- derheide, who was a native of Germany, and came to America at the age of fifteen. He first lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, and while there was married to Elizabeth Moorman. A few years later he moved to Butler township, Frank- lin county, Indiana, where he bought eighty acres of land, on which he lived the remainder of his life. He was a devoted member of the St. Marys Cath- olic church. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Carrie, John, Mary, Henry, Catherine and Benjamin, all of whom with the exception of Carrie are now deceased.
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